Communications network with wireless gateways for mobile terminal access

ABSTRACT

Access to a communications network is provided to a user supporting a mobile unit capable of wireless communication with at least one access node of a local area network that is capable of connecting to the communications network. Initially, wireless communication is established between the mobile unit and the access node by associating the mobile unit with the access node. The user of the mobile unit is authenticated to enable access to the communications network. Communication with a destination on the communications network is then established, and at least some session particulars are recorded of a communications session during which the mobile unit communicates with the destination on a server on the network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/827,263, filed Mar. 28, 1997.

[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/589,514, filed Jun. 8, 2000 and to U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/520,929, filed Mar. 8, 2000, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/916,605, filed Aug. 22, 1997, which in turn is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/691,263, filed Aug.2, 1996, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/006,872, filed Nov. 17, 1995.

[0003] All ofthe above applications are commonly assigned with theassignee of the instant application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The invention relates to a portable computing device or terminal,and in particular a device arranged to link up to the Internet or aprivate computer network. 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] The Internet computer network is gaining ever-increasingsignificance in the world of science, technology, information andcommerce among many others. The Internet will be well known to theskilled reader but, in brief summary, comprises a network of computerspractically worldwide and accessible from any access point suitablylinked to retrieve information contained in the Internet. Varioussub-networks exist within the Internet, one of the best known of whichis the worldwide web.

[0007] Information is commonly stored on the Internet in the form of“pages,” often comprising a “home page” relating to a general site andproviding guidance and access to the contents at that site, the contentsbeing contained in “sub-pages”. A site includes a unique InternetProtocol address or Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The site can thus beaccessed from any access point to the Internet by entering the relevantaddress and displaying the site held at that address. The user accessesthe Internet via a client computer, for example, a personal computerlinked to the Internet. The link will typically be via a modem andtelephone line, and a service provider or server acts as intermediary,the client accessing the Internet via the server. In addition, theserver allows the user to set up an Internet site. It will beappreciated that the server generally comprises a fixed station. Such anarrangement can give rise to an unnecessary level of inflexibility. Inparticular, it is often time consuming and unnecessarily complex to haveto access the fixed station server to set up or access an Internet site.

[0008] Various developments to Internet related systems have beendisclosed in various patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,984relates to a security system for connecting computer networks, U.S. Pat.No. 5,544,162 relates to a bridge for connecting parallel processors tothe external environment, U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,494 relates to a routingprotocol for multicast messages across the Internet, U.S. Pat. No.5,416,842 relates to message transmission between firewall servers, U.S.Pat. No. 5,410,754 relates to an interface between a wire line carrierand a remote host on a Local Area Network (LAN), U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,335relates to an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)—LAN connectionterminal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,283 relates to packet transmission acrossa series of modes in a network, U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,237 relates to anetwork of LAN's connected to an ISDN including a plurality ofrouters/sub-routers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,437 relates to a bridge-typedevice for coupling segments of an extended LAN, U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,468relates to a terminal adapter for connecting a LAN and a Wide AreaNetwork (WAN) using an Internet Standard Protocol, U.S. Pat. No.5,276,789 relates to graphically displaying computer network topology,U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,988 relates to a system for classifying duplicatesource address replies, U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,860 relates to a system fordetermining the nodes connected to a computer network, U.S. Pat. No.5,166,931 relates to a system for an internetwork arranged to simplifythe network addressing system, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,633 relates to amethod for routing a data packet between a mobile host and a destinationhost via a wireless link between the mobile host and a base station. Thebase station acts as a physical location of the mobile host and islinked to the network via a LAN sub-network.

[0009] The mechanism of file name translation across a distributednetwork is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,652,incorporated herewith by reference.

[0010] A range of products has been developed by Spyglass Inc.,enhancing the Internet connectivity of existing devices. In particular,these products are designed to connect electronic products to theworldwide web such as cellular phones, cable T.V. set-top boxes,televisions, personal digital assistants and pagers, providing theinfrastructure, applications and services to allow these devicesbrowsing capability across the Internet. One such product is availableunder the trademark REMOTE MOSAIC, which converts browsing into a clientservice operation in which lightweight “viewers” are custom-integratedinto devices which connect to a “proxy browser” on a remote server. Theproxy browser handles applications demanding excessive process or memorycapabilities such as caching and connects the device to other servers.

[0011] In another aspect, there are numerous situations in which aninstantaneous image of a scene or object is of considerable use andimportance, for example, in insurance claims documentation where it isvital to document as accurately and completely as possible thecircumstances against which the insurance claim is made. Conventionally,details are documented either in writing or by taking photographs usinga film camera. This information is then subsequently entered with allother information relating to the insurance claim. Such a system is timeconsuming and error-prone, in particular because of the subsequentre-entry of information and transfer of the physical photograph to therelevant file. Similar problems arise, for example, in news coverage ofan incident, police or other authorities'incident reports and so forth.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,994 relates to a multimedia informationdelivery network system. A wide area transmitter transmits themultimedia programs, which are received by a plurality of networkservers for re-transmission to downstream network servers or a user. Theprograms are cached at the network servers as determined by a schedulerfor efficient delivery of the multimedia program to each user.

[0013] In another aspect, data terminals connected to the Internet areconventionally required to download applets in an appropriate agentimplementation language from a host, which is a complex and slowprocess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objects of the Invention

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to avoid, mitigate orovercome the problems associated with prior art arrangements.

[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide an improveddata device interconnection with a local area network.

Features of the Present Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, a method of providing accessto a communications network to a user supporting a mobile unit capableof wireless communication with at least one access node of a local areanetwork that is capable of connecting to the communications network,comprises a first step of initially establishing wireless communicationbetween the mobile unit and said at least one access node by associatingthe mobile unit with said at least one access node; a second step ofauthenticating the user of the mobile unit to enable access to thecommunications network; and a third step of establishing communicationwith a destination on the communications network, and recording at leastsome session particulars of a communications session during which themobile unit communicates with the destination on a server on thenetwork.

[0017] The associating step is performed by transmitting an associationrequest from the mobile unit to said at least one access node, and byreceiving an association response from said at least one access node atthe mobile unit. The authenticating step is performed by transmitting anauthentication request from the mobile unit to the communicationsnetwork via said at least one access node associated with the mobileunit, and by receiving an authentication response from thecommunications network at the mobile unit via said associated at leastone access node. The step of transmitting the authentication request isinitiated by manual action by the user, and validated at anauthentication site in the communications network. Preferably, themanual action includes the step of passing a transaction cardidentifying the user across a card reader on the mobile unit.

[0018] In a preferred application, a plurality of access nodes of thelocal area network is positioned at spaced-apart locations throughout avenue in which suppliers of information content are situated. Theauthentication site validates the authentication request only for alimited number of the access nodes.

[0019] It is desirable when the access node is in wireless communicationwith the communications network. The recording step is performed byrecording the session particulars at said at least one access node. Thedestination is a user-selectable database containing informationcontent.

[0020] Another feature of the invention resides in manually selecting,at the mobile unit, a parameter of the communication with thedestination. The parameter is selected from a group consisting of asession start time, a session stop time, a session duration, sessionquality of transmission, session usage, databases accessed, number ofcontacts, location of mobile unit, time of day, traffic class andcategory, encryption level, session protocol, packet loss, netthroughput, transmit power, priority requested and priority granted.

[0021] One from a plurality of delivery channels along which informationcontent from the destination is delivered to the mobile unit isdetermined. The delivered information content is displayed on the mobileunit. The delivery channels have different parameters. The user is askedto select a desired one of the parameters, and the desired one of theparameters is selected by the user. The parameters are at least one ofbandwidth, data rate, quality of service, power output, powerconsumption, cost, traffic class or category, delivery channelcharacteristics, minimal signal to noise level, and minimal packetdelay. Preferably, all the parameters on a display screen are displayedon the mobile unit prior to delivering the requested informationcontent.

[0022] Still another feature resides in the step of measuring aremaining amount oftime that the mobile unit is able to communicate withsaid at least one node, and the step of displaying the remaining amountof time on a display screen on the mobile unit. A total amount of timethat the mobile unit has been in communication with said at least onenode can also be displayed.

[0023] It is advantageous if the information content is encrypted priorto delivery. Paying for the delivery of information content is done bypresenting the user with different terms of payment by displaying thepayment terms on a display screen of the mobile unit. The user thenselects one of the payment terms by transmitting a user code to apayment validation site having reference codes, and by validating theuser code when the user code matches one of the reference codes.

[0024] In further accordance with this invention, a method ofdeliveringinformation network services to a user supporting a mobile unit in avenue, comprises the steps of providing access nodes of a local areanetwork throughout the venue, the mobile unit being capable of wirelesscommunication with at least one node when located within an operatingrange therefrom, listening on at least one delivery channel to determinean identity of a wireless local area network protocol in use,configuring the mobile unit to establish wireless communication oversaid at least one delivery channel with said at least one node pursuantto the protocol, determining a level of authorization and credentials ofthe user, and delivering a predetermined set of the network servicesover said at least one delivery channel based on the determined level ofauthorization and credentials of the user. At least some sessionparticulars of a communications session are recorded during which thenetwork services are delivered on a server on the network. Contentproviders charge for use and for recording the session particulars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention maybe more readily understood by one skilled in the art with referencebeing had to the following detailed description of several preferredembodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein like elements are designated by identical reference numeralsthroughout several view, and in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 shows a terminal according to the present inventionarranged to link with the Internet;

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the connection system shown atFIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration according to the presentinvention;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram representing operation of the presentinvention;

[0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a data terminal according to thepresent invention;

[0031]FIG. 6 shows an implementation of the data terminal according tothe present invention;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing components of the data terminalof FIG. 5;

[0033]FIG. 8 shows a hand-held data terminal;

[0034]FIG. 9 is a detail of a data terminal according to the presentinvention having highlighting capabilities;

[0035]FIG. 10 shows a data terminal according to another aspect of theinvention;

[0036]FIG. 11 shows an alternative configuration for the terminal ofFIG. 8; and

[0037]FIG. 12 shows a communications network with wireless gateways formobile terminal access.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] A conventional Internet link is shown referring to the schematicdiagram at FIG. 1 and the block diagram of FIG. 2, and includes a remoteterminal data device 1 comprising, for example, a lap-top computer, apersonal computer (PC) or a mobile unit, as discussed in more detailbelow, linked to a server 2 via a suitable link 3, which can be atelephone link incorporating a suitable modem, a wireless link, or acellular telephone link, among other possibilities which will be evidentto the skilled person. The server 2 is, in turn, interconnected via line4 to the Internet shown schematically at 5. When the user wishes toaccess a web site, the web site address is entered at terminal 1, andserver 2 brings up the web site 6 at the given address from the Internet5. Similarly, when the user wishes to create a site, the relevantinformation is entered at terminal 1, and the site is created via server2.

[0039] While the system shown in FIG. 1 allows centralized site accessand creation, it will be appreciated in certain circumstances that thesystem is cumbersome, for example, where it is desired to create a sitevery quickly. In addition, whereas in some circumstances a user willsimply know what information is sought, and will “browse” through theInternet to find a site containing that information, in somecircumstances the user may be entirely aware of the exact site which hewishes to access irrespective of the information contained at the site.In that case, the centralized system shown in FIG. 1 can give rise tounnecessary delays.

[0040] An improved system according to the present invention is shown asa block diagram in FIG. 3. Briefly, within the client terminal 1 itself,suitable server software 2 is retained. Accordingly, the client is ableto create an Internet site directly, the Internet site 6 being stored atthe server again directly at the terminal 1. The client/server thenaccesses the Internet 3 via a line or wireless link 4. As is well known,the Internet can be accessed generally by access points AP₁ to AP_(n).

[0041] As a result, the invention allows an Internet site such as a website to be set up at the terminal without the requirement of accessing adedicated server, as appropriate server software is included at theclient terminal. When a third party wishes to access the site, they willhave or be able to obtain details of the client server address and canthus access the client server via the Internet.

[0042] A particular implementation of the invention arises in relationto client/servers provided in remote, mobile terminals communicatingwith the Internet via an access point with which it is in wirelesscommunication. In that case, data is entered at the mobile unit,generally relating to the physical environment at which the mobile unitis presently located such as an image of the surrounding scene. Userswishing to access that data merely need the client/server address. Theaddress is entered at the relevant access point to the Internet, and thesite is pulled up directly from the client/server. It will be seen thatthe client/server can include a home page, which is actually pulled bythe user, the specific sub-pages at the site being accessible via thehome page, once the home page has been accessed.

[0043] The system can use a data terminal of the type designatedgenerally 10 in FIG. 5. The central elements to the data terminal 10comprise a digital camera having a lens 12 and a wireless Internet link18.

[0044] Digital cameras are well known and the detailed structure will beapparent to the skilled man such that a detailed description is notrequired here. Briefly, however, the digital camera includes a lenssystem 12 for focusing an image onto a CCD (charge coupled device)array. The image is thus pixelized and encoded, for example, as a bitstream. The encoded signal is decoded and displayed on a visual displayscreen 14 or output as hard copy. A “still” image is obtained in thesame manner but by recording an instantaneous image. The majority of thecomponents of the digital camera is not shown in FIG. 5 for the purposesof clarity. A CCD camera is preferable over, say, a laser camera asimages can be recorded from a greater distance.

[0045] The data terminal 10 further comprises a keyboard 16. In order torecord an image, the lens 12 of the data terminal 10 is directed at thescene to be recorded. This is preferably displayed on the visual displayscreen 14. When a desired image is isolated, a button, for example, onthe keyboard 16 is pressed, and a still image recorded.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, the data terminal 10 further includesvarious optional and required components. The principal requiredcomponent is a wireless signal transmitter 18 which, as discussed inmore detail below, relays the recorded image to a remote access pointfor distribution from that point. Optionally, the data terminal 10further includes a microphone 20 for recording, for example, a verbaldescription of the recorded scene, a bar code reader 22 allowingalternative or complementary operation of the data terminal 10, aphysical interface 24 for downloading of information stored in the dataterminal 10 to a terminal to which it is connected by cable or otherlink, and a printer output slot for outputting a hard copy of the image,additional information, or as discussed in more detail below, a bar codesymbol representative of the stored image. In addition, as discussedabove, the terminal further includes server software allowing creationof a web site at the terminal. The web site can contain, for example,recorded images or sounds from the environment of the terminal togetherwith text input at the keyboard and/or the user's recorded verbalcommentary. A further feature that can be incorporated into the terminalis a global positioning system (GPS) of a known type. The GPScommunicates with GPS satellites via a suitable antenna (not shown). Asa result, the specific geographical location of the mobile device can beimmediately ascertained. This can be provided as additional informationbroadcast by the device and can also be used by a central trackingsystem to ascertain where all the devices are at a given time.

[0047] Once again, specific details of the various individual componentswill be well known to the skilled reader and, for the purposes ofclarity, are not repeated here.

[0048] In order to minimize costs, the network architecture is designedto minimize the amount of data traffic over the highest costcommunication links. This can be done, for example, by selecting acommunication route which utilizes the cheapest available lines. Wherethis can lead to delay, a prioritization system can be introducedensuring that communication, in respect of which delay is unimportant,can be sent on a cost optimized basis, whereas those signals for whichthe speed of transmission is important are sent on an urgency basis. Forexample, where wireless communication gives rise to high costs asagainst physical interface communication, low priority information canbe downloaded physically from the terminal to a cradle to reduce thepower and processing burden and general cost burden.

[0049] An alternative terminal configuration can be based on thearrangement disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/691,263,filed Aug. 2, 1996, assigned herewith. That application describes amodular type terminal having interchangeable data collection modules,together with a detailed discussion of communications between mobileunits and the Internet.

[0050] The system can be used for coverage of news events. A journalistholding the terminal can store images of a news event, and record areport on the event. A web site can be instantaneously set up at theterminal via the internal server holding the report and other data.Accordingly, a user wishing to find out about the news event merelyneeds to access the site via the network. The address could be known tothe user or could be available from a central site on the Internetdisclosing where various mobile units are located, and providing theirsite addresses. It will be seen that the technology could furtherincorporate a pay-per-view type system whereby the user is automaticallybilled for accessing the site. It will be seen that many otherapplications can be envisaged. For example, a police report of the sceneof an incident, or an insurance operative report can be accessedactually on location at the incident, rather than relying on transfer toa stand-alone server for creation of a web site at that level.

[0051] According to the embodiment, any suitable form of wirelesscommunication between the client/server and the Internet can beutilized. Such systems are well known for roaming units, whereby accesspoints to the Internet arranged to receive communications from mobileunits are located at various geographical points. Known algorithms canbe used for selecting which access point is the most suitable. Thecommunication can itself be by radio waves or an optical link such as anIRDA Standard Protocol. It will be seen that another of the advantagesof the system is that the site is stored at the terminal and need onlybe downloaded on demand via the wireless link, thus reducing the costthat would be incurred by transferring data continuously. Data that isnever requested can be transferred over a less costly connection at alater time.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart of the operation of theterminal 1 is shown. At step 110 the desired data, for example, an imageor an audio recording is captured. The data is then encoded at step 112into a suitable format to be rendered as a web page, for example, bycreating a bit map. At step 114 the encoded data is processed to createa suitable web page according to the desired format, as determined bythe server software and any user input. The process can then branch tostep 116 where the page is stored at the terminal. When a page accessrequest is received at 118 by a remote user, who called up the knownaddress for the terminal, the page is displayed at the terminal website. According to an enhanced system, the process branches at 114, alsoallowing a specific page address to be created for the particular datastored in the given process, at step 120. The address and details of thepage stored at the address are displayed on a home page at step 122.This allows a menu to be created for the terminal such that more thanone page is available. Accordingly, when the site is accessed at 124 bya remote user, the remote user has the option of selecting the relevantsub-page displayed at the home page at step 126, allowing display of anydesired page, returning to step 120. The system thus allows quick andeasy operation with no programming required, and in particular, no HTMLrequirement. An instantaneous web page can be set up using the serversoftware, the image to be displayed being stored simply by pointing theterminal at it and “clicking”. Once again, the system can be designedwith cost optimization in mind, ensuring that a minimum amount of datatraffic occupies high-cost communication links.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, one possible implementation of analternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Where, forexample, the police or other authorities, or an insurance operative wishto record details of a scene shown generally at 30, the image iscaptured as a still digital camera image by the data terminal 10 in themanner discussed above. The stored image is encoded, for example, as abit stream, and the bit stream is transmitted or relayed via thetransmitter 18 to a remote point.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the image information is relayed fromtransmitter 18 to an intermediate booster transmitter 32. This caneither be one of a network spread across an area or can, for example, becarried in the data terminal user's vehicle or a carrying case. The useof a booster transmitter 32 reduces the broadcast power requirements ofthe data terminal 10 allowing more space to be dedicated to datastorage/processing means or accessories, and increasing the batterylife. It will be appreciated that the booster transmitter is, however,optional and, in many cases, will not be required. Transmission can takeplace via an RF wireless link, microwave or other suitable wirelesscommunication method. Where the vehicle is part of a larger GPSmonitored tracking system, the arrangement of the present invention canbe a module incorporated into the system.

[0055] Either the transmitter 18 in the data terminal 10 or the boostertransmitter 32 relays the image information to an access point 34including a receiver for receiving the relayed information signal. Thereceived signal is input to a processor/data storage/decoder device 36.The image can then be transferred to any desired device, for example, acentral data storage device for the user to access on return to hispremises (for example, an Intranet or LAN), or a news and informationnetwork (such as the Internet) where it is desired to broadcast theimage, or to a police or other authorities'information database where itis desired to record and document the image. The transmitted signal fromthe data terminal 10 may also include information such as the desireddestination of the image, additional information relating to thecircumstances, encoded information representative of recordings of anyverbal messages, or recordings of sound messages further explaining thecircumstances as recorded by the microphone 20. Information relating tothe circumstances, or the destination of the image, can be input viakeyboard 16.

[0056] Where the web page is created on site at the terminal using aninternal server, the transmission system described above can equally beused for third party access to the web page.

[0057] A block diagram showing the components of the data terminal 10 isillustrated in FIG. 7. The data terminal includes various inputscomprising suitable transducers for converting the input signals toelectronic signals. The inputs include the digital camera input 44including a CCD array transducer, an audio signal input 46 including amicrophone transducer, and a bar code symbol signal input 48 including,for example, a CCD array. Each of the signals is input to an encoding ordigitizing sub-processor respectively 50,52,54, and the processed signalfrom each sub-processor is transferred to a data storage and processingdevice 56. The data is stored, processed and relayed as appropriate tovarious outputs. Data relating to the image captured by the digitalcamera 44 and, as appropriate, any bar code data or audio data istransferred to a transmitter module 58 and is transmitted as describedabove at output 60. A hard copy of the still image, or, as discussedbelow, a bar code symbol representative thereof is output via printerdrive module 62 and output 64. Where it is desired to download storedinformation via a physical interface, this is done at output 66. Inaddition, the data store/processor 56 receives information input to thekeyboard 16 via a line 68 and sends the image from the digital camerainput 44 to the visual display screen 14 via line 70. The system as awhole is powered by power supply 72, for example, a battery. Where theterminal is configured to create a web page on site, a server can beincorporated in hardware (or software, or a combination of hardware andsoftware) as shown at 57.

[0058] Accordingly, it will be seen that, in one aspect, the image datacan be captured automatically and transmitted to a common databaseaccessible to authorized users. The images could be transported and/oraccessed via video servers, collaborative work group software anddistributed multimedia, and implemented by desktop videoteleconferencing. Processing of the image can be carried out on the rawdata once it has been transmitted to the main network, allowing afurther reduction in the processing requirements and, hence, the powerand space requirements for the data terminal itself.

[0059] A particular advantage of using a digital camera is that theimage can be stored at high to medium resolution and transmittedelectronically with a minimum of intermediate processing.

[0060] It will be seen that a wide range of applications are available,in particular, relating to industries generally in which photographic(digital) images are regularly taken in the field. An alternative to theinsurance claims documentation application discussed above, wherebids/estimates were involved, the item in respect of which thebid/estimate is provided, documenting, for example, the work required onthe basis of which the bid or estimate was based, could be recorded.Similarly, where repair work or improvement work was contemplated, anappraisal could be made taking into account stored images. The systemcould be used as a general aid to documentation of items orcircumstances. As discussed above, the system could be implemented inlaw enforcement. For example, the scene of a crime or an accident couldbe stored and relayed, or accessed. Indeed, felons could be photographedand the image compared against a suitable database for identificationpurposes using known image comparison techniques. The system can also beused as a preliminary aid to more exhaustive documentation ofcircumstances such as proofing and/or test shots. The data is preferablyrelayed as determined by a network architecture designed to reducetransmission costs by minimizing transmissions over high-costcommunication links.

[0061] As will be seen for all of the above possible applications andall other applications, the system includes particular and significantadvantages, in particular providing immediate access to images for thirdparties privy to the image distribution network, providing access to allusers simultaneously as desired, expediting processing time (as a resultof immediate accessing), improving accuracy and/or efficiency, as aresult of the availability of more precise information in particular inhigh resolution implementations, and associated cost savings inparticular resulting from decreased processing time and improvedaccuracy.

[0062] Yet a further possible implementation of the arrangement would beas a remote fire alarm or smoke detector. A terminal including the basiccomponents of a digital camera or other image recordal means and networkconnectivity can be permanently or detachably mounted at a zone where itis desired to monitor for fire, smoke, poisonous gases, or any othersuch hazard. The terminal further includes a hazard detector of anysuitable type such as a smoke detector, a heat detector, a noxioussubstance detector or other. All these detectors are well known to theskilled man and do not require further description here. In the case,for example, of a fire alarm terminal, when a heat detector detects thatthe ambient temperature has risen over a preset limit, the terminal isactivated to capture a still or moving image of the scene. At the sametime, the terminal notifies the relevant authorities such as the fireservices, and the image is transmitted in a manner discussed above to anaccess point at the fire station. Accordingly, the scene can be reviewedand it can be assessed whether a true fire risk exists or whether otheractivity to which the increase in temperature is attributable can bedetected such as cooking activity. As a result, false alarms can be to alarge extent avoided. It will be seen that a similar approach can beadopted for other hazard detectors, where an image of the scene istransmitted to suitable authorities when a potential risk is firstdetected for further assessment before full mobilization.

[0063] A further implementation for which the system of the presentinvention according to a further aspect would be particularly suited andwhich would benefit from the advantages discussed above is in the fieldof goods transfer, for example, parcel delivery. When a damaged parcelis received, there is no way to know immediately the condition of theparcel when shipped. The system of the present invention would, however,be able to acquire the image and transmit it to a remote location orcreate a suitable web page on site. The image could then be accessed atthe receiving depot and compared with the actual received parcel toestablish whether the condition had changed in any way. An alternativeoption would be to print the image information in a bar code format, thebar code itself being attached to the parcel itself. The bar code symbolcould be decoded at the receiving depot, once again to compare the imagewith the received parcel. Evidently, a high resolution bar code symbolwill be required, for example, under protocol PDF 417. The reader shownin FIG. 5 includes the capability for such an arrangement including aprinter and printer slot 26.

[0064] It will be appreciated that the embodiments described aboverelate to specific possible implementation of the invention, and thatthe invention embraces a number of alternatives. For example, as shownin FIG. 8, the data terminal 10 is configured with ergonomicconsiderations in mind, fitting comfortably into the palm of the user'shand. As a result, the data terminal 10 can be quickly and accuratelydirected towards an image to be recorded, using the visual displayscreen to ensure that the image is as desired. At the same time, thekeyboard can be manipulated comfortably using the user's other hand tocapture the image, input additional information and so forth.Alternatively, the terminal may be in the form of a conventional camera,or a video camera, or any other appropriate configuration allowing imagecapture, and, preferably, data input.

[0065] The digital camera preferably includes auto focus capabilitiesand manual zoom capabilities with a separate button/trigger for zooming,which button/trigger may form part of the keyboard or may be providedseparately. The manual zoom feature will assist in taking close-ups ofthe subject to be imaged. As mentioned above, a printer, for example, alow density, low quality printer can be included in the data terminal,or provided as an add-on, so that a hard copy of the image is availablein the field. As also discussed above, the image could be printed in PDF417 format for subsequent decoding.

[0066]FIG. 11 shows an alternative configuration for a data terminal.The terminal 10 contains generally all of the components discussed inrelation to the other embodiments herein. However, the terminal 10 isconfigured in a “point and shoot” design and includes a grip portion 120and a barrel portion 122. The grip portion is configured to sitcomfortably and easily, with optimum balance, in the user's hand andfurther carries a trigger 124 and a thumb wheel 126. A display 128 andoptional keypad 130 are provided on the upper face of the barrel portion122 to allow easy viewing and input access to the user. The camera lensor other image recordal means are provided on the front face of thebarrel portion 122 (not shown) allowing the user simply to point theterminal 10 in the direction it is desired to record in. When thedesired scene is viewed on a display 128, capture is effected byactivation of the trigger 124. Zoom can be controlled by the thumb wheel126, which is preferably located for optimum ease of use by the user'sthumb when the grip portion 120 is held by the user.

[0067] The processing speed and storage capabilities of the componentsof the data terminal can, of course, be determined according to theeventual cost of the system, for example, a slower and, hence, cheapermicroprocessor can be incorporated. For more high-end applications, thedata terminal could additionally include an SRAM card to store the stillimages. In addition, the visual display screen 14 can, as shown in FIG.9, include LCD (liquid crystal display) capabilities. Accordingly, usinga suitable pen 100, the image can he altered, for example, by ringing orotherwise highlighting areas of interest, the alterations beingrepresented on the LCD display as 102 in FIG. 9. The alterations can bedeleted or revised additionally using the keyboard as appropriate.

[0068] The range of implementations and the speed and efficiency of thesystem can be further enhanced by also incorporating bar code readercapabilities into, or in conjunction with, the data terminal. Theconstruction and applications of bar code readers will be well known tothe skilled man and do not require a detailed description here. Briefly,however, a bar code symbol comprises one or more rows of light and darkregions, typically in the form of rectangles or, for the case oftwo-dimensional codes, in the form of a two-dimensional array of lightand dark spaces. The dimensions ofthe dark and light regions indicateencoded information to be read. A bar code symbol reader illuminates thesymbol using reading beam generating means and senses light reflectiveon the coded regions using reading beam detecting means to detect thedimensions ofthe coded regions. A decoder decodes the detected encodedinformation. Known symbols include, for example, UPCIEAN, Coder 128,Codabar and Interleaved 2 of 5.

[0069] One known type of bar code reader comprises a data wand asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,218, incorporated herein by reference.

[0070]FIG. 10 shows a data terminal 10 of the type described hereinabove further incorporating an optical reader 110 incorporated in thedata terminal 1 0. The reader 110 includes reading beam generating anddetecting means, and the data terminal 10 includes processing means fordecoding the detected encoded information. The reader 1 10 may compriseeither a “flying-spot” laser scanner including means for scanning thereading beam or a “field of view” optical reader including a CCD arrayas detector. Both types of reader will be well known to the skilledreader, and a full description of the components and operation is notprovided here.

[0071] It will be appreciated that a wide range of implementations canbe envisaged for the data terminal 10 shown in FIG. 10. In particular,it may be useful in many circumstances to be able to read informationencoded in bar codes to adduce additional information to that retrievedby the data terminal from the external environment.

[0072] A particularly advantageous embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. Inparticular, a book or other printed matter 114 is provided and can becarried by the user, including printed bar codes 116 which are read bythe reader 110, and the information contained therein utilized by thedata terminal 10. As discussed in more detail below, the data terminal10, in fact, comprises an Internet server capable of creating a web siteat the data terminal carrying, for example, information relating to theexternal environment around the data terminal for access by userselsewhere on the Internet. In such circumstances, the terminal mightconventionally wish to download executable code from a host machineusing an agent implementation language such as Java (a trademark). Thissystem can be cumbersome and time consuming in view of the level ofcommunications required between the client and the host. The presentinvention solves this problem by storing the executable code (applets)in the form oftwo-dimensional, high-density bar codes 116 in the book114. Each bar code symbol 116 is identified by a suitable short title orother identifying information in the book. When it is required to accessan applet, the user is merely required to read the two-dimensional barcode using the bar code reader 110, and the executable code isimmediately downloaded to the data terminal 10 for the data terminal 10to use it as appropriate.

[0073] The invention allows the user to carry a conventional book, forexample, having five hundred pages of 2-D applet codes. Such a bookwould not be cumbersome and would indeed be attractive to many users.The system allows greatly accelerated downloading of applets in aslittle as fifteen seconds. Conventional downloading systems would stillbe waiting for connection to the host in that range of time scale.

[0074] It will be appreciated that any suitable executable code could bestored in a desired language in the two-dimensional bar codes 116. Awide range of different applets could, of course, be stored according tothis system and indexed appropriately. Indeed, the system could be usedfor fixed or dedicated clients, as well as the remote mobile client dataterminal shown in FIG. 10.

[0075] It will be seen that the data terminal can communicate with anysuitable data network, for example, an access point to the Internet, orto a closed dedicated system relating to the user or to which the usersubscribes, together with other users. Communication can be by way of RFcommunication or, if appropriate, infrared or microwave communication,or any other suitable wireless communication method.

[0076] Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, the mobile, wireless data terminal 10carried by a user is capable of bidirectional wireless communicationwith at least one access point or node of a plurality of access nodes150, 152, 154 . . . 156 of a local area network (LAN). The access nodesare arranged throughout a venue, preferably a public space whereindividuals are invited to enter, such as a mall, a hotel, an airport, asports arena, a trade show, a library, an office, a corporate lobby andthe like. The access nodes are arranged for maximum roamingcommunications coverage so that the terminal 10 carried by an individualpassing through the venue can reliably communicate with a first accessnode, and then with another access node when the terminal is out ofrange of the first node, and so on.

[0077] Each access node is capable of wired or wireless communicationwith at least one content provider, and preferably a plurality ofcontent providers 160, 162, 164 . . . 166. Each content providermaintains a database of goods and/or services. By way of example,sports, news, weather and movies databases 170, 172, 174 . . . 176 arerespectively accessed by providers 160, 162, 164 . . . 166.

[0078] Thus, terminal 10 can communicate with any node which serves as awireless gateway to any of the databases, thereby enabling the user ofthe terminal to gain access to any of these resources. One or more ofthe access nodes may be maintained by individual wireless serviceproviders (WSP), for example, local or long distance telephone companieswho maintain billing services to which access to the above describedresources can be conveniently charged and billed.

[0079] Wireless communication is initially established by associatingthe terminal 10 with one of the access nodes. The terminal transmits asassociation request to the access node and, in turn, to an associationserver 158 that is connected to all the nodes. The association server158, in response, transmits an association response to the access nodeand, in turn, to the terminal.

[0080] Next, the user of the terminal needs to be authenticated. Theterminal transmits an authentication request to the access node and, inturn, to an authentication server 168 that is connected to all thenodes. The authentication server 168 responsively transmits anauthentication response to the access node and, in turn, to theterminal. The user manually initiates the authentication request, andthe authentication server 168 validates the authentication request.Typically, the user presents a credit card 180, smart card or like tokento the terminal which, in turn, reads and processes the token forvalidation by the authentication server 168. For this purpose, theterminal has a slot 178 and a magnetic stripe reader. The reader reads amagnetic stripe on the card as the card is slid along the slot. Thisprocess identifies the user of the terminal, and may result in thedetermination of additional information required to access the network,such as ESSID or encryption keys.

[0081] The token may be limited to a single retail store or a singlecredit card service. In this case, authentication is processed by asubset of all the access nodes.

[0082] Before a communication session is established with a destination,i.e., one of the databases, the terminal presents the user with a listof preset choices of various parameters relevant to the communicationsession, and the user is required to select at least one of theparameter choices. The list includes one or more of the followingparameters: start of communications session, end of communicationssession, duration of session, quality of session, usage, number ofdatabases, identity of databases, location of terminal, time of day,traffic class and category, encryption level, protocol, data packetloss, net throughput, channel, operating characteristics of the channel,data rate, minimal signal to noise ratio, minimal packet delay, transmitpower level, priority requested, priority granted, bandwidth, speed,power consumption, and cost of each channel to a database. The user'sselection dictates the quality and cost of the session.

[0083] During the communications session the terminal will measure theremaining air time for the session and alert the user with a visualreminder on the display or with an auditory warning by an on-boardbeeper.

[0084] During the session, the session particulars are recorded at theaccess node and may be made available at the terminal after the session.For example, a report can be generated to provide the cost breakdown ofthe session for each WSP.

[0085] The wireless transmission of data, especially personal andfinancial data, requires encryption, such as public key cryptography.

[0086] Another authentication technique resides in a payment validationsystem which uses two codes. Once the user selects a form of payment,the user is prompted to enter a first security code on the terminalkeyboard. This first code is validated by comparison to a secondsecurity code stored in a remote database. Payment is initiated once thefirst code has been validated.

[0087] Payment can also be made in response to a bill sent by the WSP.This requires the user to have established an account in advance.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the overall system comprises a largecorporate/business network with wireless gateways for mobile terminalaccess. This network can track resource usage and calculate excessbandwidth. This bandwidth can be “leased” to visiting mobile computersusing wireless networking, or to other companies.

[0089] In one application, a company lobby has two wireless accesspoints available. When a visitor arrives and wishes to lease networkresources, he can connect to a limited access, lowsecurity (with regardto corporate network) access point with default ESSID and be provided aDHCP-assigned temporary IP address. Using a web browser, the visitor canview a page that displays the network resources that can be leased atthat location. Included in this would be several choices of networkaccess, with pricing according to the performance required. The visitormay, at this point, opt to lease some network time to check e-mail, orother network-related activities.

[0090] The act of leasing network time would be as follows: the visitorwill enter in some personal information, over secure sockets, requiredto complete a financial exchange (account, PIN, etc.). Once thetransaction has been verified, the visitor will be transitioned toanother wireless network access point that will provide the agreed uponservice. The system will monitor the time and resources used and proratethe cost to the visitor. Since the system is monitoring the networkactivity, it can make smart choices as to the medium used to perform thefunction requested. At the expiration of the service, the visitor canrequest more time for a fee. The other wireless network access pointthat the visitor was transitioned to will have a different ESSID, onlyaccept the visitor's IEEE (MAC) address, and utilize all the highsecurity features available to maintain system integrity. If it is notalready clear, this visitor would not have access to features of thecorporate network intended only for approved entities.

[0091] This concept could be expanded to conference rooms or centers.Also this system preferably uses the IEEE 802.11 b wireless networksystem protocol, but could be implemented using another wireless networkprotocol, such as Bluetooth.

[0092] It will be appreciated that any of the features discussed inrelation to one embodiment can, as appropriate, be incorporated in anyother embodiment without departing from the teaching of the presentinvention.

[0093] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal thegist of the present invention that others can readily adapt to variousapplications without omitting features that, from the standpoint ofprior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic orspecific aspects ofthe invention and, therefore, such adaptations shouldand are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range ofequivalents of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of providing access to a communications network toa user supporting a mobile unit capable of wireless communication withat least one access node of a local area network that is capable ofconnecting to the communications network, comprising the steps of: a)initially establishing wireless communication between the mobile unitand said at least one access node by associating the mobile unit withsaid at least one access node; b) authenticating the user of the mobileunit to enable access to the communications network; and c) establishingcommunication with a destination on the communications network, andrecording at least some session particulars of a communications sessionon a server on the communications network during which the mobile unitcommunicates with the destination.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theassociating step is performed by transmitting an association requestfrom the mobile unit to said at least one access node, and by receivingan association response from said at least one access node at the mobileunit.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the authenticating step isperformed by transmitting an authentication request from the mobile unitto the communications network via said at least one access nodeassociated with the mobile unit, and by receiving an authenticationresponse from the communications network at the mobile unit via saidassociated at least one access node.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe step of transmitting the authentication request is initiated bymanual action by the user, and validated at an authentication site inthe communications network.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the manualaction includes the step of passing a transaction card identifying theuser across a card reader on the mobile unit.
 6. The method of claim 4;and further comprising the step of positioning a plurality of accessnodes of the local area network at spaced-apart locations throughout avenue in which suppliers of information content are situated, andwherein the authentication site validates the authentication requestonly for a limited number of the access nodes.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein said at least one access node is in wireless communication withthe communications network.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein therecording step is performed by recording the session particulars at saidat least one access node.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thedestination is a user-selectable database containing informationcontent.
 10. The method of claim 1; and further comprising the step ofmanually selecting, at the mobile unit, a parameter of the communicationwith the destination.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the parameteris selected from a group consisting of a session start time, a sessionstop time, a session duration, session quality of transmission, sessionusage, databases accessed, number of contacts, location of mobile unit,time of day, traffic class and category, encryption level, sessionprotocol, packet loss, net throughput, transmit power, priorityrequested and priority granted.
 12. The method of claim 1; and furthercomprising the step of determining one from a plurality of deliverychannels along which information content from the destination isdelivered to the mobile unit, and the step of displaying the deliveredinformation content on the mobile unit.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the delivery channels have different parameters, and wherein thedetermining step includes the step of asking the user to select adesired one of the parameters, and the step of selecting the desired oneof the parameters by the user.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theparameters are at least one of bandwidth, data rate, quality of service,power output, power consumption, cost, traffic class or category,delivery channel characteristics, minimal signal to noise level, andminimal packet delay.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the askingstep includes the step of displaying all the parameters on a displayscreen on the mobile unit prior to delivering the requested informationcontent.
 16. The method of claim 1; and further comprising the step ofmeasuring a remaining amount of time that the mobile unit is able tocommunicate with said at least one node, and the step of displaying theremaining amount of time on a display screen on the mobile unit.
 17. Themethod of claim 16; and further comprising the step of displaying atotal amount of time that the mobile unit has been in communication withsaid at least one node.
 18. The method of claim 12; and furthercomprising the step of encrypting the information content prior todelivery.
 19. The method of claim 12; and further comprising the step ofpaying for delivery of information content, including the step ofpresenting the user with different terms of payment by displaying thepayment terms on a display screen of the mobile unit; and the step ofselecting, by the user, one of the payment terms.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the step of selecting one of the payment termsincludes transmitting a user code to a payment validation site havingreference codes, and validating the user code when the user code matchesone of the reference codes.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein therecording step is performed by recording additional session particularsat the mobile unit on the network.
 22. A method of deliveringinformation network services to a user supporting a mobile unit in avenue, comprising the steps of: a) providing access nodes of a localarea network throughout the venue, the mobile unit being capable ofwireless communication with at least one node when located within anoperating range therefrom; b) listening on at least one delivery channelto determine an identity of a wireless local area network protocol inuse; c) configuring the mobile unit to establish wireless communicationover said at least one delivery channel with said at least one nodepursuant to the protocol; d) determining a level of authorization andcredentials of the user; and e) delivering a predetermined set of thenetwork services over said at least one delivery channel based on thedetermined level of authorization and credentials of the user.
 23. Themethod of claim 22; and further comprising the step of recording atleast some session particulars of a communications session during whichthe network services are delivered on a server on the network.
 24. Themethod of claim 23; and further comprising the step of charging contentproviders for recording the session particulars.